John Bianchi Holster Class

[mbaneacp]

Last week I took the 3-day John Bianchi SECRETS OF ADVANCED HOLSTER MAKERS class in Wickenburg, AZ...I wanted to let you all know that this was maybe the single best class I've ever taken! It was all hands-on with John and his partner in Frontier Gunleather, Matt Whitaker, so you get two masters for the price of one! You decide in advance which holster out of their catalog you'd like to make, and then John and Matt step you through it. They never just show you how to do something; rather they make sure you understand why you need to do it. They only allow 12 in the class and it's only held once a year...I've already signed up for next year.

Here's the link to this year's class: iilg.org/tmp/LCSJ/bianchi2010.pdf

Here's the link to my blog pictures of my finished project, a Mexican loop rig for the 1911 Wild Bunch matches: michaelbane.blogspot.com/2010/02/finished-rig.html

While most of the people in the class were experienced leather workers, the last leather thing I made was a wallet when I was about 9 years old, and it fell apart! Matt loaned me his tools to do the class, as I had none.

John T., this is your fault! I was re-reading the SINGLE-ACTION SIXGUNS book and I got to thinking that I really knew nothing about holsters and holster-making except for buying them and using them up, so I set out to remedy that problem...up to about $600 in tools so far...don't you feel the least bit guilty???

Michael B

[taffin]

ENABLERS RARELY FEEL GUILTY! (I AM AN OLD LEATHER WORKER ALSO) I SURE ENJOYED THE LAST TWO PROGRAMS WITH SA SIXGUNS FOR DEFENSE AND STEPHEN HUNTER. I SEE YOU AND I WERE AT THE HITCHCOCK FUNERAL IN THE LAST PAGES OF "I SNIPER". ON ANOTHER NOTE TUPELO FLASH DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB ON "COWBOYS"

[wickerbill]

Well, it's good to know that sense they have taken away your drimel tool, you can still get your hands on something and do a good job on it. That's a good looking rig you mad. I'm proud of you.

Did you film it for one of your shows on the outdoor channel. If not, you should get in touch with John and see if you can do it next your.
Bill

[avidreader]

That is an extremely unique concept, I used to do leather work for a hobby and loved doing holsters, since I love guns, reloading, etc., this is an interesting post.
thank you for the trouble.
Wes

[bigmuddy]

A very good friend of mine took this class last year. Before he went he was getting to be a pretty good leathersmith. NOW he has become a great one. The work he has turned out since John's class is fantastic.

[hutchman]

A friend of mine was in your class. I haven't talked to him yet, but I know he was really pumped to get to take the class.

[holsterfly]

Wow am I jealous.  I can see where you could become an addict real quick.


Holsterfly Handgun Holsters

[sixshot]

My wife & I usually spend the winter in Wickenburg & I've been to the leather show they put on every year. Myself & Rob Leahy attended & Rob took the class, actually I think he's took it twice. We got to meet John Bianchi & have a photo taken with him. Had to use a wide angle lens to get both me & Rob in the picture.
If you need leather tools you won't believe what these vendors can supply you with, anything from commercial sewing machines down to the simple punches & stamping tools, its a great show.

Dick

[CraigC]

If you can't take the class, John's DVD's would be helpful to the beginning to intermediate leatherworker. Although the neon hot pink shirt he wears through them hurts my eyeballs. If I remember right, he leaned heavily to machine stitching.

Chuck Burrows' DVD is fantastic and I prefer it. All hand stitching.

[olddoc]

Did they make any mention of leather weight or thickness. I have seen some of John's Frontier Leather rigs when he comes to the Vegas shows and it seems that they are not as heavy as the earlier rigs by him that I have, some of which are 30 years old or more. Nicely done but not as heavy.

[jayhawker]

All of John's rigs are full lined, most likely two thicknesses of 6/7 oz. Plenty thick enough.

[CraigC]

I believe in the DVD he staggers his weights. Seems like it was 6-7oz for the outer and 4-5oz for the lining. Most use 8-9oz for an unlined holster or one lined with paper thin pigskin or suede.

[jayhawker]

Either way, the result is thicker than 8-9.

[CraigC]

Obviously.